A cyclone is a huge system of rotating wind around a large scale low pressure area called "eye".
The rotation of wind is anti-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the South. This is due to Coriolis force which acts on a moving body (Wind) in a rotating reference frame (Earth).
Tropical Cyclones are known by different names in different areas:
Tropical Cyclones arise over ocean in the tropical latitudes (5°N - 15°N) where Coriolis force is substantial enough to stabilize its low pressure eye.
There are two factors that fuel its growth:
When formed, a cyclone is roughly 600 km across and 15 km high. The winds in it can speed over 100 kmph. The eye of a cyclone is the region of lowest pressure and highest temperature (as compared to surrounding region). It experiences relatively calm wind and fair weather. It is usually about 50km across.
After the cyclone is formed, it is steered by the Trade Winds (global winds that blow predominantly from east to west in the Northern Hemisphere) which is responsible for Hurricane Landfalls in North America.
After reaching the land, the break in chain of evaporation and condensation diminishes the energy of the cyclone. Hence, it dies within few days after landfall.
The fancy names of Tropical Cyclones are used basically to facilitate easy communication. A list of 21 names is prepared for each year. The first tropical storm in that year is given the name with A; the second storm is given the name with B and so on(excluding the ones starting with Q, U, X, Y and Z).
Bibliography
The rotation of wind is anti-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the South. This is due to Coriolis force which acts on a moving body (Wind) in a rotating reference frame (Earth).
Tropical Cyclones are known by different names in different areas:
- Hurricanes in the North Atlantic & Eastern Pacific
- Typhoons in Western Pacific
Tropical Cyclones arise over ocean in the tropical latitudes (5°N - 15°N) where Coriolis force is substantial enough to stabilize its low pressure eye.
There are two factors that fuel its growth:
- Evaporation - When the temperature of the ocean surface (up to the depth of 50 m) exceeds 28°C, it intensifies evaporation. The warm and moist air above the ocean rises to create low pressure region. The cooler air swirls around to take its place.
- Condensation - As the warm air rises, the water vapour condenses to form clouds and droplets of rain. This releases latent heat. This heat combined with heat from the ocean triggers more evaporation which in turn leads to greater condensation (chain of events)!
When formed, a cyclone is roughly 600 km across and 15 km high. The winds in it can speed over 100 kmph. The eye of a cyclone is the region of lowest pressure and highest temperature (as compared to surrounding region). It experiences relatively calm wind and fair weather. It is usually about 50km across.
After the cyclone is formed, it is steered by the Trade Winds (global winds that blow predominantly from east to west in the Northern Hemisphere) which is responsible for Hurricane Landfalls in North America.
After reaching the land, the break in chain of evaporation and condensation diminishes the energy of the cyclone. Hence, it dies within few days after landfall.
The fancy names of Tropical Cyclones are used basically to facilitate easy communication. A list of 21 names is prepared for each year. The first tropical storm in that year is given the name with A; the second storm is given the name with B and so on(excluding the ones starting with Q, U, X, Y and Z).
Bibliography